Easy Fixes to Common HVAC Fan Problems

common HVAC fan problemsHere in Southwest Arizona, we rely on our air conditioners for indoor comfort for nearly half the year. Unfortunately, your air conditioner won’t cool your house properly if there are problems with its fans. A/C fans are responsible for blowing indoor air over the condenser coils to remove heat as well as pushing cool air throughout your home. Let’s go over the common causes of HVAC fan problems along with what you should do to resolve them.

Tripped Circuit Breaker

Your A/C components can overheat and trip the circuit breaker. The fans and entire air conditioner will stop running due to lack of power. Resetting the breaker should fix the issue. However, be sure to contact a professional if the breaker keeps tripping.

Run Capacitor Issues

A run capacitor creates the rotating magnetic field in the A/C’s condenser fan. If it fails, it makes the fan run slowly or stop spinning. You’ll need to have a malfunctioning run capacitor replaced by an HVAC professional.

Fan Motor Problems

Each A/C fan has a motor. If the motor experiences a breakdown, for example, due to bad wiring or a faulty electrical connection, the fan won’t move. Depending on your air conditioner’s age or condition, the bad motor may require a professional repair or an entire system replacement.

Faulty Belts

If you have an older A/C model, it may be using belt-powered fans. Over time, the belts can stretch, crack, and break. An HVAC technician can easily replace the belts. You may also want to consider replacing your system with a newer model.

Maintenance of A/C Fans

Most A/C fans have three settings:

  • On
  • Off
  • Auto

The on switch makes your fans run continuously. As a result, they’re more vulnerable to premature wearing. It’s better to set your fans to auto most of the time. With this setting, they’ll only come on when your air conditioner cycles on.

Scheduling regular A/C maintenance mitigates causes of HVAC fan problems. That’s because during maintenance, the technician will — among other things — clean your fan blades, inspect and adjust motors, and clear blockages. If you need quality HVAC maintenance or repair services in the Yuma area, contact the air conditioning experts at Hansberger Refrigeration and Electric Company.